Nepal: Rift deepens between PM Dahal and opposition following confidence Vote

May 21, 2024

Kathmandu (Nepal), May 21 (ANI): The rift has widened between Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' and the Opposition's Nepali Congress after Monday's vote of confidence. PM Dahal warned the Nepali Congress that it would pay a heavy price for the obstruction which it continued on Monday as well, attempting to prevent the tabling and moving ahead with the vote of confidence motion. On Monday, the Nepal House Speaker, Debraj Ghimire, proceeded with the vote of confidence deploying parliamentary marshals to escort the Prime Minister and the leader of the ruling parties. Soon after the conclusion of the process of vote of confidence, the opposition Nepali Congress labelled suppression by the ruling alliance "undemocratic" and "authoritarian". The Spokesperson of the Nepali Congress alleged the move by the ruling alliance was an attempt to weaken the implementation of the constitution. Early in the afternoon, Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda had secured a vote of confidence for the fourth time. House Speaker Debraj Ghimire announced the results of the vote of confidence amid the protest by the Nepali Congress lawmakers who had picketed the well of the parliament. A total of 158 lawmakers took part in the voting. The prime minister required at least 138 votes to prove a majority in favour of the trust motion. Members of the main opposition Nepali Congress, which is the largest party in the lower house, did not participate in the voting as they were staging protests in the House.